Frequently Asked Questions
About your graduation day
Dates, times, and eligibility
Graduation ceremonies take place between Monday 30 November and Friday 4 December 2026 (Mon-Fri only, no weekend ceremonies).
The ceremonies will be held in the Kings Hall, Armstrong Building. Ticket collection, degree certificate collection, gowning, photography, and the post-ceremony reception will be held on Campus.
You will receive an email in September 2026 if you are eligible to attend, with a graduation application form to complete. If you do not receive an email by the end of September but believe you are eligible to attend, please contact the Congregations Office.
The time of your ceremony will be scheduled shortly after the application form has closed. We are unable to schedule the time any earlier than this, as the number of attenders and guests is used in arranging the time of each ceremony. When the time for your ceremony has been set, we will email you and update the Schedule on our website.
In the Winter congregations, there are usually 4-5 ceremonies per day. The earliest that a ceremony can start is 08:30, and the latest a ceremony can start is 17:30. Ceremonies are usually 45-75 minutes in duration, and are all followed by a Reception for ticket holders.
What if I can’t attend?
When you are invited to graduation, you complete a graduation application form. If you're unable to attend the next upcoming ceremony, you are given the option in the form to not attend or to defer your ceremony*.
If you are unable to attend, your certificate will be sent to your home address.
After the graduation application form closes, if your circumstances change and this affects your attendance, please email the Congregations team.
* You are only allowed to defer attendance until up to a year after you pass your programme.
What if I have logged an appeal?
If you have appealed your award decision, or intend to appeal it, you must inform us by contacting the Congregations Office so we can update your record accordingly.
What if I apply to resit?
If you have applied to resit, please inform the Congregations Office.
Can I defer my graduation?
You can defer attendance at your graduation for up to a year after you pass your programme. If you wish to defer later than a year after passing your programme, contact the Congregations Office to discuss your reasons and circumstances. We will then let you know if it has been possible to allow you to defer for longer than a year.
I am eligible to attend, why haven’t I received an email?
To be eligible to graduate at these ceremonies, you must complete your course and appear on a pass list by 11 November 2026.
If you have debts to the University, these must be reduced to under £100 by 11 November 2026 in order to attend your ceremony and must be cleared completely for you to receive your certificate.
If you think you are eligible to attend graduation in winter 2026 and have not received the graduation invitation, please contact the Congregations Office.
Can you send me a visa letter?
If you need an invitation letter to support a visa application for attendance at Congregation, complete the visa letter request form.
Please note: We can only provide visa letters in the name of the student. We cannot produce letters inviting named friends and family to the ceremony. Information about how to invite friends and family to your ceremony can be found on the Visa Team Web pages (Bringing your Family to the UK).
When do I receive my certificate?
The printed copy of your certificate will be produced within 6 weeks of your final results being awarded.
If you receive your final results:
- near the time of a graduation ceremony: your printed degree certificate will be ready for you on the day of your ceremony.
- at any other time of year: we will contact you by email with options for delivery/collection.
Please note: You will not need your certificate for any part of the ceremony. So if you have already received your certificate before ceremony day, you don't need to bring it with you to the ceremony.
How do I book my place at graduation?
You will have received an invitation email if you are eligible to attend. If you have not received the email but think you may be eligible to attend the ceremony, please contact the Congregations Office.
Will my guests be sat together?
Seating will be allocated at the Ticket Desk on the day of your graduation. Only the graduate can collect their guest tickets from the Ticket Desk.
We generally seat all guests of the same graduate together, but if you would like your guests to be seated apart from each other, please email the Congregations team or mention it at the Ticket Desk when collecting your tickets.
Can children attend?
Although we wish to make Congregations as welcoming and inclusive as possible, the formal nature and duration of the ceremonies may make them unsuitable for babies and young children. Due to fire regulations, please be aware that children over 2 years old require a guest ticket. Infants under 2 years old can attend without a ticket, and must be sat on the lap of an adult guest who has a ticket.
We are unable to fit pushchairs, buggies or prams in the graduation hall during the ceremony, so if these are brought they must be left outside the hall during the ceremony. There are marshals present at all the doors who can keep an eye on it while you are in the ceremony.
My guest can’t attend
For any guests who are unable to attend, the ceremonies will be available to view live on our website. A recording of the ceremony will also be available to view on demand soon after the ceremony.
If you have purchased guest tickets that you no longer need, please let us know as early as possible, and we will be able to provide a refund.
Access requirements
The Congregations team will email the students/graduates with a form to fill in, to confirm any access needs for themselves and/or their guests. We require the response by 20 November to ensure adjustments can be arranged.
Please be aware we can only guarantee on-campus parking to blue badge holders who have requested this in advance.
Venue Accessibility
The King's Hall (ground floor), Live Screening and Reception are all accessible with lift and/or ramp access.
How do I book a gown?
All graduates are strongly recommended to wear the official Newcastle University Gown and Hood for the ceremony, provided by our official Robe Makers, Gray and Son of Durham.
Pre-order your robes and hood by 23:59 on Friday 24 November to avoid a £5 late-hire fee. You can still hire on the day, but the fee applies.
If you pre-order your robes and hood but are prevented from attending on the day (for any reason) please contact Gray and Son for a refund.
Hire is for one day only. Charges are as follows:
Non-Degree Qualifications (Diplomas and Certificates) = £44 (£49 on the day)
Undergraduate Degrees = £44 (£49 on the day)
Postgraduate Masters Degrees = £49 (£54 on the day)
Doctorates = £54 (£59 on the day)
If you wish to purchase a gown rather than hire it, please contact our Robe Makers Gray and Son directly.
Newcastle University has a preferred supplier agreement with Gray and Sons for the hire and purchase of graduation gowns. Under this agreement, the University receives a commission share for each order placed by students. These funds are reinvested into the graduation experience and to provide free guest tickets. While students are free to use other suppliers, please ensure that any alternative gown meets the University’s exact academic dress regulations. View Newcastle University's Academic dress styles (PDF: 668.5 kB) here.
What do the robes look like? And where is the mortar board?
View the different styles of Academic dress (PDF: 668.5 kB) here. You will notice that most of our award robes do not include a mortar board, by tradition.
The story goes that when Newcastle became an independent university in 1963, students celebrated freedom by throwing their traditional hats into the River Tyne. Since then, Newcastle University academic dress has not included a mortar board.
What should I wear for my graduation?
Although the Congregation ceremonies represent a chance to celebrate your achievements, they are also traditional formal events. You are encouraged to dress accordingly. We advise candidates to wear a light coloured shirt or blouse with dark trousers or a skirt. A buttoned shirt or blouse is recommended as there is a loop on the academic hood which can be affixed over a button. Alternatively, you may wish to bring a safety pin to help hold the hood in place.
Traditional and national dress is encouraged.
All attendees are also advised to dress in a manner appropriate to the weather, noting that there may be queues outside the Congregations venues.
See here for the style and colour of your Academic dress (PDF: 668.5 kB).
What if I book my gown, but I do not pass or I am unable to attend?
Please contact Gray & Son of Durham who will be able to refund your gown hire.
How do I collect my gown?
Hired gowns will be available to collect from the Boiler House on the University campus, on the day of your ceremony. You just need to provide your name, and have your booking confirmation email available if requested.
Your gown hire is for the full day. If you have an afternoon ceremony, we recommend you arrive early to collect your gown and enjoy spending time in the gown, taking photos around campus, and celebrating your time before the ceremony.
When and where do I return my gown?
Hired gowns must be returned on the day of your ceremony. Return them to the Boiler House - the same place where you collected them.
If you have an afternoon or evening ceremony, we recommend you arrive early to collect your gown and enjoy spending time in the gown, taking photos around campus, and celebrating your time before the ceremony.
How do I book official photography?
Pre-booking is not possible. Simply go to the Lower Ground Floor of the Hadrian Building to have your photographs taken, and then purchase them online via Tempest Photography.
Last entries to the studios will be 15 minutes before the Gown Return deadline.
Can I have photos taken with my guests and/or friends?
Yes, Tempest Photography can take individual shots and/or group shots. Please note the maximum group size is 7 people.
How much are photography packages?
Please see the Tempest photography website, where you can view the packages available. Click 'not had your graduation yet' and enter your details.
What time do I need to arrive?
You can collect your tickets 90 minutes before your ceremony start time.
- For morning ceremonies, aim to arrive 60-90 minutes before your ceremony. You have plenty time after the ceremony to enjoy campus, visit the Photography studios, get refreshments and spend time in your gown.
- For afternoon ceremonies, we recommend coming to campus in plenty time before your ceremony. You can collect your gown at get professional photographs at any time on the day. Remember to collect your tickets from 90 minutes before your ceremony start time.
You should arrive on campus at least 60 minutes before your ceremony.
Before your ceremony:
- Collect your gown
- Register that you have arrived on campus, and collect all tickets* and your certificate**
- Graduates will be admitted 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
- Guests will be admitted 20 minutes before the ceremony begins. Guests enter through a different entrance so ensure you have given your guests their tickets before you enter the hall.
Your ceremony will last approximately 45 minutes, with the exception of honorary ceremonies which can last up to 75 minutes.
Straight after your ceremony:
Attend the reception which will last for 45 minutes.
Anytime during the day:
- Visit the professional photography studios. You do not need a booking; pop by the studios for your proofs, then you can order online afterwards.
- Enjoy your time on campus - show your guests around, and take photos in your favourite spots.
- Get refreshments and visit the NU Merch shops.
Before you leave
- Return your gown.
* Only graduates can collect tickets and certificates. Bring your Student ID (or other photographic ID)
** if you have not already received your certificate
Where can I park?
Car parking is unfortunately not available on campus*, but there are many car parks within walking distance. Please see the city and campus map.
*except for blue badge holders and must be arranged in advance with the Congregations Office
Where is the live screening?
Live Screening is a lecture theatre within the same building as the ceremony venue (Armstrong Building) with a large screen where the ceremony is live-streamed. Entry to the Live Screening is by ticket only.
The lecture theatre is on the second floor of the Armstrong Building and has tiered seating. There is a large space at the front of the theatre where wheelchairs and mobility chairs and scooters can be stationed.
On the day of your ceremony, we have lots of marshals to direct graduates and guests to the ceremony locations. There will also be signage around campus for other graduation services.